Cave of Troubles

To better understand 1st Samuel 22 this morning, think over the past two weeks as the stories about conditions in the New Orleans Superdome began to leak out; the descriptions boggled our senses.

Think of 20,000 bodies packed into that dark, cavernous space day after day--so many people, in such a small space, for so long--equaled a sickening stench of odor, multiplied by bathroom backups, garbage that sat around too long, water that was dirty, food that was un-refrigerated.

All that—plus heat and humidity equaled a horrible fog that was hard to even describe. That was the Superdome 2005 surrounding Hurricane Katrina.

Now, go back three thousand years ago, to a similar scene. Put 400 men in a cave all at the same time. Add time, heat, and other attending conditions that life in a cave would bring. Multiply that by the fact that these men were all under duress and also fleeing great danger—Saul was after David so they were at risk for their lives. And you have the sights and smells of 1st Samuel 22.1.